Alcohol license request on hold for 30 days

A business located in the Big Spring Mall looking to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages had its request put on hold by county officials Tuesday, due to delinquent taxes owed by the owner of the mall facility.

County Judge Mark Barr, who was expected to make a judgment on whether or not to allow BSM Ice Cream and Coffee Shop to acquire a license to sell alcoholic beverages through the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, said he is giving the company that owns the mall 30 days to pay its back taxes before he will rule on the matter.

“I received a letter of protest from the Howard County Tax Collector and Assessors Office,” Barr said. “The limited liability corporation that owns the Big Spring Mall owes back taxes from 2009 and 2010. Since this wasn't brought up in previous meetings, I decided to give the company 30 days to pay their back taxes before ruling on the matter.”

According to county officials, Raj Yadav, who purchased the mall facility in 2007, owes approximately $70,000 in delinquent taxes. The mall manager said the owner, who is currently in California, will be notified of the situation.

Barr said he expects to revisit the issue May 9, giving Yadav 30 days to pay the delinquent taxes on the property.